My initial reaction? The Sonics could be hoping that Watson pushes Frodo to perform at a higher level, and that he'll pair well with Ray. If that's the case ... it's still a dumb move. Guys like Earl Watson are not rare, and now we've wed ourselves to him for five years. Could not the Sonics have found someone similar in the free agent market/draft this summer, signed them to a cheaper, and shorter-term contract?

I understand the logic in shedding the Potato's contract and moving Reggie Evans, but this still doesn't seem wise to me.

The only problem I can see with this is the contract, but honestly, its Schultz's money, and we're never going to have trouble finding someone to take the contract off our hands. This is the NBA, the magical land where any point guard or big man can be traded no matter what his salary is...

If you ever knock an opposing player to the floor in a scramble for a rebound and they call a foul the correct response is (in some European accent) "Why are you so weak Arvydas?!" I'll always remember Arvydas being thrown to the ground by Shaq and whining the whole time.

Watson seems to be the best deal on the table at the time. We got a real back-up PG (sorry Brun, you suck) and got rid of two guys that Hill wasn't going to play anyway. Reggie would be gone at the end of the season anyway. Now we just need to dump Danny and Flip & we're set. Maybe through Softy Lew in as well (I can dream, can't I?)

After the game Lewis had last night while injured mind you, he can stay. Honestly I'd rather see Ray go than Lewis, we could argue all day over who is softer. I haven't been on this site long whot the fuck are you guys calling Frodo? Ridnour?? As hard as I am on the kid (I HATE ducks) he had a pretty decent game last night. Wilcox is a fuckin stud, like I knew he would be and his hair is pimp, he reminds me alot of the Reign Man in his younger less portly days. I like the Watson deal, i don't really care that he's got a 5yr contract we'll need a back up for that long won't we?? Who knows he might take Lukes job, I'd still like to see the Supes pick up Conroy on a 10 day deal and pretty much hold an open competition for the PG duties.

Yeah, Wilcox is looking like a good pick up. At least we're not trying to make a non-PF play the PF position anymore. Frodo had a real good game last night. I'd still take Ray over Lew anyday - he shows up more than Lew on a nightly basis. But whatever, I don't think either of them is going anywhere unless D-Wilk turns it up another notch or three. Like what he's doing though.

It would have been nice if we had the foresight to keep Watson, I liked his hustle and defense the first time around. I'm certainly tired of seeing opposing PG go to the rack at will.

I also liked the idea that Will Conroy was, and is, available and tearing up the NBDL. Conroy netted two triple doubles, while averaging high numbers in the big three catagories, during a stretch of extended playing time when fellow 66'ers guard John Lucas Jr. was called up for a stint in Houston. Wee Willy continues to be among the league leaders in assists and one of the most complete PG in the NBDL. WIth Lucas back his minutes have decreased again but was still able to record 10 assists in 19 min of play.

Any one know Bryon Russell's contract status? I know he's getting up there but he was always a pretty good defender--when he wasn't falling at Jordan's feet.

The second round pick would be a bonus if we didn't waste our picks on garbage like Luke Ridnour and Collison. In all honesty that was probably one of the weakest drafts in history, what a year to have two lottery picks. But there really should be a rule against drafting two white guys if one isn't a Euro player. NO, there should be a rule regardless. Collison will never be anything in this league and Ridnour is too slow to be successful as well.

First and foremost, Luke Ridnour's inability to play defense and Earl Watson's contract means that Watson should be starting at point guard and playing 32 minutes per night, while Ridnour comes off of the bench as a change-of-pace reserve at point guard.

Next, there is no reason for Danny Fortson to still be on this team after the deadline. As it was, Seattle Supersonics GM Rick Sund could've probably packaged Fortson with Rashard Lewis, so as to obtain a young, versatilely talented small forward, a player with an expiring contract, and some draft picks. Instead, the 'sonics are on the hook for nearly $7 million in dead weight next season.

All right, with all of that noted, Rashard Lewis has proven that he's a hindrance to the team. At any rate, Lewis' defenisve inadequacies have greatly hurt this franchise -- with that being proven when the 'sonics performed better against the San Antonio Spurs during the playoffs last season without him -- as has his lack of ball-handling ability. Hell, without a doubt, the 'sonics would be better both on and off the court with Luol Deng as a 'sonic rather than Lewis and Fortson.

Lastly, I hate Ronald Murray's game as much as anyone; yet, Sund would've been better off keeping him as an 8 minute per night backup at shooting guard than dumping his ass for garbage such as Mike Wilks (Net Efficiency Rating: -18.4, On-Court/Off-Court +/-: -11.4, & Roland Rating: -16.4), who is one of the worst players in the NBA.

In the end, ultimately, Wally Walker and Rick Sund have never done a damn thing as front office personnel -- with Sund's resume being one of the most putrid of all-time, as he ruined both the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons prior to being fired from those respective gigs -- so their ineptitude doesn't surprise me.

David Locke has been reporting for the past couple of days (both on-air and on-blog (?)) that Murray's departure is an inevitability. He didn't have any specifics as to where Murray was going, and for whom he would be traded.

At this point, it doesn't really matter. A decent, veteran big man would be nice. I hear Vitaly Potapenko is available ...

"First and foremost, Luke Ridnour's inability to play defense and Earl Watson's contract means that Watson should be starting at point guard and playing 32 minutes per night, while Ridnour comes off of the bench as a change-of-pace reserve at point guard."

Wow ak1984,

I'm so proud of you. You finally got it yes exactly. This 'sniff' is the happiest day 'sniff' in my whole 'sniff' life.

"In the end, ultimately, Wally Walker and Rick Sund have never done a damn thing as front office personnel -- with Sund's resume being one of the most putrid of all-time, as he ruined both the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons prior to being fired from those respective gigs -- so their ineptitude doesn't surprise me. "

Ok ak1984,

two in one post now I'm suspicious. Have you been in my stash?? You are smoking the good shit today boy, whoooo!!

"Fortson's contract will be worth more to them next year when it's expiring."

Unless they manage to pry Paul Pierce -- who, as it seems, will be a Celtic for a long time -- away from the Boston Celtics on draft day for Rashard Lewis, Danny Fortson, and our first-round draft pick, then Fortson's expiring contract is nothing but a waste of money and salary cap space; Lewis and Fortson could've, perhaps, been used earlier today to cut salary and acquire a young, talented small forward such as Luol Deng. Of course, neither CEO/President Wally Walker or GM Rick Sund had the testicular fortitude to go that route.

Yeah but Rashard is our only other 3 point threat now (Vlady fooled other teams into thinking he was a threat too). I think we need to keep Rashard, we can deal with his defensive liabilities he's not as bad as Ray and Luke and that's the area of other teams we need to stop. Defensivly we're not that bad now at the forward spots, it's our guard defense that is now a glaring defect, but that too has gotten better with the acquisition of Watson. Package Ray and luke together and try to get a good defensive 2 who can score.

Anyhow, a package of Allen and Lewis may, perhaps, allow the 'sonics to obtain Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves during the upcoming off-season -- although I highly doubt it -- nevertheless, Garnett is owed $66 million from 2006-2009; thus, despite his talent and productivity, he isn't worth the cost.

In addition, a package of Allen, Danny Fortson, either Earl Watson or Luke Ridnour, and a first-round draft pick may, perhaps, allow the 'sonics to obtain Allen Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers during the upcoming off-season -- although, again, I highly doubt it -- nonetheless, Iverson is owed approximately $60 millon from 2006-2009; thus, despite his talent and productivity, he isn't worth it.

Lamar Odom is even more overrated and overpaid than Lewis; the only thing that Odom is better than Lewis at is handling, dribbling, and passing the ball.

It's about time we did something about the PG spot. I'm reading all these posts about who's weaker defensively, Ray or Shard? Does it really matter? They are both liabilities. Pluses for Allen is that he can hit the clutch shots, and when he wants to, he can get to the line and score. He just doesn't drive to the basket enough. Shard, when he has the ball in the final seconds always looks tentative. But do we really want to get rid of them? Who's left in the roster as a shooter?

Frodo, Wilcox, Shard, and Ray had good games last night. I hope we can count on it for the rest of the season so we have something to look forward to next year with the two big kids hopefully developing fast.